Refault: ‘The time is right for a change’

Mr Refault was first elected to the post in 2008, beating Collin Egré – who at the time was St Peter Deputy. Mr Refault was returned as parish Constable unopposed at the last two elections.

And the outgoing Constable hopes that parishioners will have the opportunity to vote on his replacement and is already aware of ‘one person showing strong interest’ in putting themselves forward for the job.

A former chief fire officer at the Airport, Mr Refault is currently an assistant minister in both the Health and Treasury Departments.

He said: ‘I have achieved much more than I ever thought I would when I first came into the role. I think the parish is in a better position and I have really enjoyed my role.

‘There is a time to come and a time to go and I feel this is the right time to go. I’d rather go out on a high with a good record behind me than having people say “he stayed on for too long”.’

He said that one of his proudest moments as Constable was suggesting the building of a statue of Sir George Carteret, a 17th century Bailiff and Lieutenant-Governor who named the US state of New Jersey after his home.

Mr Refault said: ‘That [Sir George’s life] was something I knew virtually nothing about – getting the statue put up and now having a monument to what is probably the most important Jerseyman that has ever lived is a personal highlight for me.’

Despite now approaching what is ‘effectively my third retirement’, Mr Refault has no intention of getting ‘too familiar with daytime TV’.

‘I am looking for options to do things, whether that is helping with charity work or taking on some part-time work,’ he said. ‘I want to keep engaged and keep my brain working using the skills and contacts I have gained through the States.

‘I was fortunate to be able to call on the former Constable [Tom du Feu] for advice on things as I started the role. If there is any work or any help I can offer the next Constable then I am happy to do that.’

And he added that he hoped to see a contested election for the vacant seat as it is important for the public to make sure ‘candidates are properly tested’.

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